§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been(a) convicted and (b) acquitted of offences under the (i) Terrorism Act 2000 and (ii) Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [137370]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 11 November 2003]: According to Home Office records cross-referenced with records held by the National Joint Unit in New Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service show that 25 individuals have been convicted under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. There have been no acquittals.
Figures on how many individuals have been convicted and acquitted under the Terrorism Act 2000 are published annually in the Criminal Statistics for England and Wales supplementary tables. The latest published figures are for the financial year 2001–02 and show that two individuals were convicted and two were acquitted. The Terrorism Act provides a range of important powers for the police to conduct investigation. Many of these arrested under its provisions are subsequently charged under other criminal legislation.
371WFigures for 2002–03 are due to be published later this year. Figures for 2003–04 will be published when the relevant data has been collated and verified.